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T O P I C R E V I E W

james f. ruddy

In 1993, Superior Galleries auctioned one of Aldrin's comfort gloves. I purchased the mate at a Superior Galleries' auction in 2001. Does anyone know where the one that sold in 1993 is?

james f. ruddy

The answer to my query, on collectSPACE some time ago, as to where the mate is to Buzz Aldrin's comfort glove that I purchased in 2001 and have in my collection (see my website) is finally answered. The glove mate is in RR's auction next week. The last time this glove was offered was in a Superior Galleries auction in 1993 along with one wristlet, Buzz Aldrin's watch strap and an earpiece with tube.

Where that wristlet and it's mate and the watch strap are today, is a mystery. The earpiece with tube was sold in a Heritage auction in 2013.

These artifacts are the only Apollo 11 artifacts that were taken out of the LM and onto the lunar surface!

Editor's note: Threads merged.

SpaceAholic

quote:Originally posted by james f. ruddy:These artifacts are the only Apollo 11 artifacts that were taken out of the LM and onto the lunar surface!

Of course this is untrue... also the gloves were optional wear.

james f. ruddy

Sorry, I'll be more specific. I was referring to Apollo 11 artifacts with moonwalker COAs that have been offered at auction. I searched through over 100 space auction catalogs from 1992 to date.

Yes, the comfort gloves were optional, however Aldrin's COA states that he wore them on the Moon.

SpaceAholic

Think the COA associated with your artifact states "Flown to the Moon" vice "Worn on the Moon"...

Wristlets and comfort gloves were taken aboard for optional use by the Commander and Lunar Module Pilot during the lunar stay. Because of the quick adaptation to 1/6-g, the light loads handled on this mission, and the short duration of the lunar surface activity, both crewmen elected to omit the use of the protective wristlets and comfort gloves.

james f. ruddy

Please check RR's auction website where they illustrate Aldrin's COA that states that he wore the comfort glove, that they are selling, on the Moon. If he wore one on the surface, then he wore both.

SpaceAholic

The COA in your possession was generated on Aldrin's letterhead (i.e. he likely drafted before signing). The second "COA" was produced on Superior's letterhead (i.e. its probable that Superior crafted and asked Aldrin to sign). Draw your own conclusion.

Robert Pearlman

As a general rule, it is best to trust the documents contemporary to the mission over certifications created years later, if for no other reason than memories were fresh in the weeks and months following the splashdown.

That said, whether worn out onto the surface or simply landed there, the glove(s) are a great Apollo 11 artifact!

spaced out

The mission report was a very thorough document based on a full debriefing of the crew, designed to gather as much information as possible on the effectiveness and use of all equipment and procedures during a mission.

The explicit statement that Armstrong and Aldrin elected not to use the comfort gloves during the EVA would have been based on their recollections immediately following the mission. Given that this kind of feedback was considered critical for future missions I would be very surprised if they got it wrong.

At the same time, the report does explicitly state that the comfort gloves were taken aboard the LM, which ties in perfectly with wording of the Superior 2001 LOA from Aldrin.

SpaceAholic

It was actually this COA/LOA to which I was referring:

chet

Just speculation, but from the COA wording it seems possible that perhaps Aldrin did wear the liner gloves inside the LM (maybe during landing?) but not during the EVA; would this not lend credibility to both his oral AND written declarations?

SpaceAholic

No evidence from in-flight footage/images this was so (nor would it be consistent with the gloves intended application), and if it was why the inconsistency with earlier Aldrin COA's?

The most benign data point one can derive in the case of Aldrin is due diligence was not exercised in the production of that 1994 COA.

chet

While I don't disagree with your conclusion, Scott, it still bears pointing out that the lack of evidence (of Aldrin ever wearing the gloves inside the LM on the moon) doesn't by itself negate the possibility that he did so, despite the oral record suggesting otherwise.